Beet-topping machine.



PATENTED MAY 15, 1906.

11. v. GOULD. BEET TOPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. 1905.

MMWM

lnvent or.

Attorneys Witnesses NITED STATES BEET TOPPING IVIACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1906.

Application filed April 7, 1905. Serial No. 254,382.

To a w/tom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT VANCE GOULD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eastport, in the county of Antrim and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Beet-Topping Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for topping beets; and it has for its object to provide a machine of this class which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efiiciency.

With these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of embodiment of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that the right is reserved to any changes, alterations, and modifications to which recourse may be had within the scope of the invention and without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the efficiency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a beet-topping machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Fig. 2 is a front end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear end view. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the seat-supporting bracket.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated throughout by similar characters of reference.

The frame of the improved machine is constructed, by preference, of angle-iron in its principal parts, flat iron straps being employed as braces. Said frame includes front uprights 1 1 and rear uprights 2 2, said front and rear uprights being connected in pairs by diagonal braces 3 3 and the front uprights being of greater height than the rear uprights. The said rear uprights are connected together by means of diagonal braces 4 and at their upper ends by a seat-support 5, having side members 6 6, which are ad'ustably bolted to the side members or uprig ts 2 2. Said seat-support also includes a horizontally-disposed arched portion 7, upon which the seat 8 is adjustably mounted by means of bolts 9.

Said seat may thus be adjusted vertically and longitudinally to any position that may prove convenient to the operator.

The front uprights or side members 1 1. are connected together near their lower ends by a cross-brace 10. Said uprights are connected near their upper ends by means of a crossbar 11., having a downwardly-offset portion 12, constituting a supporting-bed for the beets that are to be operated upon. Obliquely-disposed braces 13 are provided to connect the under side of the bed-plate 12 with the uprights 1 1.

One of the uprights 1 is provided near its lower and upper ends with clips 14k 15 for the accommodation, respectively, of a foot-lever or treadle 16 and a cutter-carrying-arm 17, the latter being connected with the foot-lever by means of a pitman 18. The foot-lever or treadle is connected with the adjacent upright by means of a traction-spring 19, whereby the free end of said foot-lever is normally carried in an upward. direction, carrying with it the arm 17 upon which a blade or cutter 20 is suitably mounted. The cutting edge of the blade 20 cooperates with an edge 21, formed upon th bed-plate 12. The foot-lever 16 carries a foot-rest 22, and a similar foot-rest 23 is supported upon the cross-bar 10.

A table or supporting-shelf 24 is pivotally or hingedly connected with the uirights 1 2 at one side of the machine, said ta le or shelf being provided. at its free edge with legs or supporting members 25, hingedly connected therewith and provided with studs 26, adapted to be engaged by hook-braces 27, pivotally connected with the ends of the shelf or table, as shown at 28. This table or shelf when extended to the position shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3 will serve to support baskets or crates containing the beets that are to be operated upon or for the reception of the same after being operated upon. When the machine is not in use, said shelf may be folded to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and retained in this position by means, such as a hook 29.

The front or cutter-carrying end of the machine supports a shield, including a downwardly-inclined front portion 30, over which the beet-tops will be uided into a receptacle which may be placed underneath. The upper portion of the shield is rearwardly extended, as shown at 31, so as to form a protection for the knees of the operator.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto anneared, the operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. When the seat has been adjusted to the desired position, the operator seats himself, placing one foot upon the support 23 and the other upon the rest 22, connected with the treadle or foot-lever l6.v Taking the beets one by one they are supported upon the bed plate 12, beneath the cutter-carrying arm, when by downward pressure upon the treadle said arm is caused quickly and forcibly to descend, severing the top of the beet, which is discharged over the shield or apron 30, while the beet may be thrown into a receptacle placed upon the shelf 24.

It will be understood that within the scope of the invention a supporting-shelf, as 24, may be provided u on each side of the machine. It will also e found that an expert operator may seize and operate upon one beet with each hand, causing two beets tecting the knees of the operator may also be regarded as constituting a table, as will be readily understood.

This improved beet-topping machine is extremely simple and efficient, and it may be manufactured and supplied at a very moderate expense, greatly facilitating the work of removing the tops and crowns from sugarbeets.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is* A device for topping beets including a frame, a seat supported adjustably upon said frame, a cutting device comprising a knife connected pivotally with the frame and treadle means for operating said knife, and a shield disposed beneath the cutting apparatus said shield including, an inclined deflector and a table portion disposed horizontally at the upper end of the deflector and constituting a knee-guard for an operator occupying the seat of the machine.

In testimony'that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. 1

HERBERT VANCE GOULD.

Witnesses:

NORMAN ARNOLD, HATTIE ARNOLD. 

